Dallas Mavericks forward Roy Tarpley, whose NBA career has been in jeopardy since 1987 because of drug and alcohol abuse, was suspended indefinitely today in the wake of his arrest for drunken driving. Tarpley was suspended by the ASAP Family Treatment Program of Van Nuys, Calif., which handles the NBA's substance abuse program, on behalf of the league. "I am suspending Roy without pay indefinitely until we can sort everything out," said Dr. Dave Lewis with ASAP.

Roy Tarpley, who has an inflamed pancreas and has not completed a team physical, was put on the suspended list by the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday for the start of the season. The decision, which reduced the team's roster to the NBA limit of 12 players, means the Mavericks will pay nothing toward Tarpley's $3.9-million salary. * In other NBA news: --Power forward Terry Cummings signed a one-year contract to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, a team he led to the playoffs five times from 1984-89.

Attorneys for Dallas Mavericks forward Roy Tarpley said today that they would fight a charge of drunk driving stemming from an incident last November and succeeded in having a trial date pushed back until the end of the NBA season. In addition, Tarpley's legal staff hired former Dallas County prosecutor Bill Alexander to help in their client's defense.

The Dallas Mavericks' hopes of rebuilding behind talented but troubled forward Roy Tarpley took another tumble Friday when he was suspended indefinitely without pay for violating his NBA-mandated after-care program for substance abuse. Tarpley, 26, admitted having three beers before his arrest last weekend on suspicion of drunk driving. Because the 7-foot, 245-pound Tarpley already was sidelined for the season by a knee injury, the suspension with 10 games left won't affect his playing status.

Roy Tarpley, the Dallas Maverick forward who has twice violated the NBA's anti-drug policy, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of drunk driving. Drinking alcoholic beverages would be a violation of Tarpley's aftercare program, but a charge wouldn't necessarily mean a "third strike" in the NBA's anti-drug program. He will, however, meet with league-approved doctors concerning his aftercare. Two Dallas police officers observed Tarpley driving 63 m.p.h. in a 35 m.p.h. zone about 1 a.m.

Criminal charges, including driving while intoxicated, were filed Friday against Dallas Maverick forward Roy Tarpley, two days after he was arrested on charges of drunk driving and resisting arrest. Police said test results showed the alcohol content of Tarpley's blood was sufficient to charge him with driving while intoxicated. They said the tests showed no trace of drugs. Tarpley, who has been treated twice for drug and alcohol abuse, was arrested Wednesday night.

Forward Roy Tarpley of the Dallas Mavericks, a two-time offender of the NBA's drug policy, tested negative for cocaine and alcohol Monday and will be allowed to rejoin his team for tonight's game against the Clippers at the Sports Arena. Tarpley, 25, was suspended for two games after missing a practice in Dallas on Friday. He told team officials that he overslept and then said he was too embarrassed to immediately contact the club.

Forward Roy Tarpley of the Dallas Mavericks was suspended indefinitely without pay for missing practice and his daily aftercare visit Friday morning. Maverick special assignment coach Clifford Ray found Tarpley at his home late Friday afternoon. Tarpley, who has two "strikes" for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, must take a drug test because of the absence.